NEVER mind Roy Keane, not even Roy of the Rovers could have saved Albion from this horror show.

If Bank Holiday pergatory means DIY or visiting the in-laws then surely Albion's defeat at the Stadium Of Light was nothing less than hell.

The Baggies were battered like a fish in a chip shop. Make no mistake, any Premiership side worth their salt might have been five up by half-time. Albion were that bad.

Bryan Robson's side had been an accident waiting to happen and yesterday they finally got their almighty shunt back to reality.

Premiership football looks a long way away right now. One defeat shouldn't be so harmful, but it's the manner of the performance which is the root of concern.

Each one of Albion's first-team regulars has played at the highest level yet they are doing a fairly decent job of convincing otherwise. This season they've lacked consistency, often looking vulnerable against weak oppostion.

Robson and his coaching staff work with the players during the week but there was no pattern to Albion's play.

His decision to not start with Kevin Phillips was debatable &#x2013; after all, Nathan Ellington scored on his last Championship outing &#x2013; but Robson should be more worried about why his players look so jaded and uninspired. It's up to him to motivate them.

On the pitch, Albion made so many square and backward passes that at times it felt as if both sides were attacking the same goal.

Sunderland, of course, deserve credit for that &#x2013; their players were fired up amid the Keane euphoria and ensured the visitors had no time on the ball.

But Robson needs to know what he's going to get from his players week in, week out.

There have been three consistent performers this term &#x2013; Albion fans should guess who they are &#x2013; but there are too many lacking conviction and pride.

Despite boasting a decent squad on paper you do wonder whether this side has the devil to emulate the achievements of 2002 or '04.

There is no Derek McInnes or Sean Gregan-type within the spine of the Albion team to rouse the under-performers &#x2013; and that's a worry.

Sunderland grabbed their opener when Dean Whitehead's 34th-minute corner was missed by Pascal Zuberbuhler and crossed the line before Robinson managed to clear. By then the Black Cats had already missed FIVE chances.